I had originally planned to do an epilogue for Requesting the Honor of Your Presents, but what I started writing just didn't seem to fit. I was happy with the way I ended RTHOYP and although the tone was bittersweet it was also very hopeful. As I started writing this 'epilogue', the tone was hopeful but definitely not as bittersweet. McSwarek wanted to get back together sooner rather than later and quick and easy just didn't seem to fit the other story so I didn't want to ruin a good thing. Thus, I have decided to make this a sequel of sorts with a two-part story picking up after Andy's birthday when she and Nick return from Project Dakota. I'm not sure I have the McCollins dynamic down yet but I'm working on it.

I'm told that Baby Best has in fact been named so I have updated the previous story with the proper name. Olivia was my favorite anyway – love that it's so close to Oliver.

Another note to the guest regarding the keys: You're looking for something that isn't there. I glossed over the significance of Sam telling her to keep his keys (in the previous story) because I thought the significance of it was obvious and it was not needed to answer your question – you asked me about her keys. It was not meant to diminish Sam's gesture in any way; that was actually one of my favorite parts of the season. To me, that gesture spoke volumes about his feelings; I didn't think it needed to be explained (guess I was wrong). I'm actually a bit saddened that you think I put a negative spin on 'everything Sam did' simply because I didn't explain it fully in my note. All I was trying to do was keep on the bright side and suggest a positive scenario for what Andy could have done and I did say that knowing her she probably wasn't clear enough in getting her point across about him keeping them. (Pretty sure I'm not the one with the negative outlook.) Yes, that is why we have fan fiction but please don't presume that it's so I can portray Sam as 'dense' and Andy as perfect; we're not all out to get him. Probably best we don't do questions and negative presumptions in the future; it's too frustrating not to be able to answer right away and get a proper discussion (and I don't have to put all the other readers through my obsessive need to address comments that upset me and/or try to put words in mouth.)

That said I hope everyone enjoys this. I own nothing Rookie Blue and I thank SairsJ for the extra set of eyes on this.

Andy placed the key in the lock and smiled when she heard the familiar click. She took a deep breath and twisted the knob. She was Andy McNally again; she was home.

She pushed at the door but instead of going in, she turned around. "You didn't have to come up with me you know. I'm a big girl; I can take care of myself."

"I know you can."

"Well you got me to the door so…"

"Are you sure you want to be alone?"

"I have been alone before," she reminded him, trying her best not to recall the six specific weeks when she felt the most alone she had ever felt in her life.

"It's been six months and I…"

"Well, I was trying to be nice," she interjected, "but you leave me no choice. I'm actually just sick of seeing your face."

Nick grinned and grabbed her up in a one-armed hug. "No you're not," he disputed. And then he spun her around behind him, pushed the door open and let himself in.

He stopped short as soon as he crossed the threshold and Andy ran right into the back of him. "What the…"

"Wow, someone sure loves you."

"What are you…"

Nick pulled Andy out from behind him so she could see into her apartment. She looked around in awe. There were sheets covering most of the surfaces and instead of smelling musty and dirty, it felt fresh as if someone had been coming in regularly to clean and air it out.

Her mouth opened and closed a few times as she took in the sight. "Did Luke say anything to you about someone coming in? I mean he did take our keys."

Nick was shaking his head. "I think he said someone is supposed to but Andy this is not the work of some department lackey."

Andy traveled around the room and immediately started to remove the sheets. Nick came up beside her to grab a corner of the linen and help keep the dust from falling back onto the floor and furniture. "I'm guessing it wasn't your Dad, maybe your Mom or Traci?"

Andy shoved the dirty sheet into Nick's hand and moved onto the next one. "I don't think so; neither of them have a key."

Nick followed behind Andy. "You really should give someone a spare; you know in case you get locked out or in case you need them to come in for you. Do you want me to get one made for you?"

"No I've already…" Andy's eyes grew wide.

"What?"

Andy shoved the second sheet into Nick's hand and rushed over to remove the one covering the couch and side table.

"Hey, wait," he warned her, but the dust was the least of her concerns.

She picked the keys up out of the tray and then turned to lean against the table; her brow wrinkled in contemplation. "No… he… but I…"

"Andy, come on; what's going on?"

She lifted her eyes from her hands but she really wasn't seeing him. "He has a key," she revealed on a breath.

Nick continued to look at her in confusion but then his eyes grew wide as realization washed over him. "You gave Swarek the key to your house; you never told me that."

"I, um, I didn't really give it to him," she tried to explain, "I mean…"

"What?"

She blew out a long breath. "When he gave me the keys to his truck, I put my house keys on there; it was easier. I didn't want to carry around two sets."

That part made sense, but Nick also knew that Sam had asked her to return them. "You didn't take them off when he asked for them back?"

Andy frowned. "If you recall, I wasn't in the best of places at the end of that day."

At the start of the day either, if he remembered correctly. "No, but why didn't you ask for them back the next day or the day after that?"

A slight blush colored Andy's cheeks before she dropped her head back down to study the keys again.

Nick placed what he hoped was a comforting hand on her arm. "Andy, why?"

She shook her head. "I guess… I don't know." She shrugged her shoulders. "I guess I wanted to leave it in his hands." She took a quick glance up at Nick before continuing, "I figured if he found them and gave them back to me, then I would know for sure it was over."

"You didn't think him asking for his back was enough?"

She huffed out a breath. "I know; it's stupid."

"Did he even know they were there?"

"I don't know," she lamented. "I mean I guess he does now if he came in here…" She was afraid to hope though. "Maybe Traci just borrowed them or picked the lock or asked the..."

Nick was shaking his head. "I don't think so."

Andy wasn't so sure. "I left him Nick."

"He left first."

"But then he tried and I…" A defeated breath escaped her lips and her head dropped further to her chest.

"No, it has to be him," Nick assured her. "He said he'd take out your garbage right?" Nick lifted the sheet off the island and bundled it into his hands with the other ones. He pulled the empty container out from under the sink. "Exhibit A; I knew it smelled too good in here. And he said he'd cook you dinner too, right? I'm starving, maybe we should…"

Andy's wide eyes shot up; she definitely missed him but she wasn't sure she was ready to face him quite yet and what if it wasn't him or what if he changed his mind.

Nick could see that she wasn't as composed as she was trying to let on. "I'm staying," he announced as he returned the garbage can to its proper place under the sink.

"Aren't you sick of me yet?" She tried again.

Nick flashed her a smile as he dropped the sheets down against the wall and then turned to open the fridge, his voice echoed out from inside of it. "If you had asked me about five minutes ago, I would have said yes, right up until I walked in here. Pretty sure no one did this for me," he announced holding up two beers from a fresh six pack. "In fact, my place may be worse than I left it if Gail got in there." He set the two beers on the counter before turning back and tugging the freezer door open. His head immediately popped back around. "Oh my God, you have real food too; he did cook you dinner."

"What?" Andy jumped up from the couch and was halfway to the kitchen.

Nick was already pulling out a pre-made lasagne when Andy came up beside him. Her feet stayed glued to the floor as she studied the contents in awe; there were at least four different casserole dishes frozen inside.

The latch on the microwave pulled her from her thoughts. "It'll take too long in the oven; I'm putting this in the microwave," Nick announced.

"Hey."

"What?" Nick replied innocently, as he continued to open up the casserole and get it ready for the microwave. "We haven't been able to eat anything decent for months. We were up all night with the debrief, we missed breakfast, and it's," he looked at his watch, "after lunch. You can't tell me you're not hungry."

Well, not anymore she couldn't; the second he started talking about food she realized just how starving she was. "Put it in," she conceded.

"That's what I thought," he boasted shutting the door and setting the time. When he turned back around, Andy had just pulled the last sheet away and she appeared to be staring at a plant.

"McNally?"

Andy grinned and slid out of the way to reveal her Christmas stocking and at least three presents sitting beside the plant. There was one lonely ornament suspended from the stalk.

"Swarek?" He guessed.

Andy shrugged trying not to get her hopes up. Would Sam have done this? Maybe Traci did ask him about a key. He really didn't seem like the type. Last Christmas she wasn't around and her first Christmas at Fifteen she could only remember him grumbling about the traffic and the lines at the grocery store.

"McNally," he tried again.

She looked up at him with a smile.

"You think it was him," he smirked.

Andy flipped her shoulders up again. "Mostly I just like hearing my real name."

"Amen to that," Nick said, handing her one of the beers from the counter and taking the sheet from her hand to put with the rest of them. He tilted his head towards the makeshift Christmas tree. "Wanna open them up?"

Andy didn't give him an answer instead she took a sip of her beer and then bent down to inspect the presents. Apart from the stocking, there were actually four items from Traci, Leo, Tommy and Sam. She ran her hand across Sam's name.

Nick watched her in silence for a few moments. "You can open them if you want," he offered. "I won't be offended."

"Maybe in a minute," she answered standing up. "I know we showered at Twenty-Seven but I really want to put my own clothes on."

"He probably did your laundry too," Nick pouted enviously.

Andy pointed her finger back at him. "You can go home you know?"

Nick shook his head. "Nice try but you won't get rid of me that easily."

Andy's eyes started to cloud over at the words that were just too similar to ones she heard so many months ago. She flipped on her heel and darted into her room to avoid Nick's scrutiny. "I'll be right back," she sputtered out.

Nick furrowed his brow as he thought back over the last few minutes. It took him a second but he finally recalled a late night conversation when they were only a month into the undercover. "Andy?"

She had headed straight for her dresser but couldn't see anything through the cloud of tears blocking her vision. She knew he had pieced it together by the tone of his voice. She swiped at the tear that was making its way down her cheek. "I'm good, Nick," she called back, proud that her voice only cracked a little. "Can you check on the lasagne?"

"Sure."

Andy heard him open the door to the microwave and turned to toss her fresh clothes onto the bed. Her hand flew up to her mouth when she gasped at the sight. There, on top of her pillow, sat a gift wrapped in birthday paper. The writing on the envelope was unmistakably Sam's.

She startled when Nick snuck up behind her and peered over her shoulder. "I can go if you like," he offered.

Andy shook her head as she swiped away another tear. "No, no, it's fine. I can't eat a whole lasagne anyway."

Nick nudged at her shoulder. "I've seen you eat, remember?"

Andy dropped her chin in defiance, but he just put his hand on her arm and pulled her in for another awkward hug. "And besides, I meant after I ate."

Andy was able to choke out a small laugh. "You can stay as long as you like."

Nick nodded over to the present. "You want to open it now?"

Andy shifted her gaze back to the pillow. "How long till food?" She wondered.

"At least ten minutes maybe more." He watched her face as she appeared to debate her options in her head.

"I haven't watched a decent TV in months so I'm going… just…"

Andy didn't even look at him as he left. She picked up the present trying to figure out why and when. It must mean something though if he left it there for her; I mean it had to be a sign right? A sign that he had waited and missed her. But then her birthday had been months ago so things could have easily changed since then. But the house was clean. But that could have been Traci. She knew the lasagne wasn't Traci but that could have been months ago too.

"Ugh!" Well, her overthinking definitely hadn't changed. She tossed the present to the bed and started to change her clothes.

"Everything okay?" she heard Nick ask, his voice getting closer.

She yanked her shirt on quickly. Sure they had lived together for the past six months but there was a line. "I'm good," she assured him. "Be right out."

"Okay," he answered hesitantly.

His footsteps appeared to be retreating though and Andy breathed out a sigh of relief as she tugged on her pants. She eyed the package one more time but left it on the bed before turning towards the door.

Nick looked up as soon as she entered the living room. "Swarek?"

Andy nodded.

Nick's face was the picture of sincerity. "Seriously, Andy, I can leave. You don't even have to feed me."

Andy offered him a small smile of gratitude. "It's the least I can do."

"Damn right," he retorted, trying to lighten things up. "You would have been lost without me for the past six months."

With a tilt of her head, Andy quirked an eyebrow. "Pretty sure it wasn't a one way street, Buddy."

Nick tugged her down onto the couch. "Which is why I owe you and am now keeping you company."

Andy shook her head and chuckled softly. "Thank you."

Nick flashed his smile. "You're welcome. Now how about some Christmas cheer?"

"Sure, why not?"

Nick got up and grabbed her presents from the makeshift tree and placed them on the coffee table in front of her. She automatically reached for the biggest one.

He slapped at her hand. "Uh, uh, uh… stockings first; you know that."

Andy shook her head but relented; she did know that. Even if it hadn't been the tradition in her house growing up, Nick had made sure she knew it when they were undercover. He had gone out and bought them each a cheap, dollar store stocking which they filled with small things they missed from home. And he had insisted the stockings be completely emptied before he even let her think about opening his gift to her. It wasn't much, but it was the best they could do under the circumstances, and at the time, it was enough.

Andy pulled her stocking from the pile and slid the first item out. She smiled as soon as she saw what it was, a DVD of the movie Bridesmaids.

"That's a good one," Nick commented. "Who's it from?"

"Trace." She didn't even have to look at the note; they had seen the movie together in the theatre and were still laughing about it the next day. "See." She showed Nick the tag: For our first Girls' Night after you get back! Andy couldn't wait.

Nick smiled at her excitement; he had been a little concerned when they left Twenty-Seven after the debrief. She had been extremely quiet and contemplative and he had worried that if he left her alone she would spend the whole night thinking about Swarek and what if. It had taken him at least two solid months to get her past that on the op and he sure as hell didn't want her falling back into it. One good thing, it looked like Swarek was still all in so it was definitely going to make it easier on her. He wished he could say the same for himself.

"Hey." Andy poked her elbow into his side.

"Huh?"

Andy was looking at him uneasily and he realized he had been lost in his own thoughts. "What's next?" He asked in an overly enthusiastic tone.

She dropped her chin and eyed him up; she was worried about him too. He hadn't spent a lot of time dwelling on things with Gail but that meant he kept it all inside. Now that they were back she knew he couldn't avoid it for much longer, and she couldn't help but wonder if that was why he was staying with her, if he was trying to put it off as long as possible.

"Come on McNally. You know you want to," he tried again.

Andy shook her head but pulled out a bundle of tissue paper and began to unwrap it. "It's a mug."

Nick started to laugh before twisting the cup in her hand. Where she could only see white, he could see exactly who the gift was from. Once the decoration was in plain view, she joined in Nick's laughter. The mug was adorned with a Santa Claus and a Menorah and read 'Oy to the World'.

"Epstein," they guessed at the same time.

"I love it," Andy announced before reaching her hand back into the stocking.

This time she pulled out another tissue wrapped treasure out. As she twisted the wrapping away, she found a jar filled with what appeared to be baking ingredients. She set it down on her lap and looked at the tag that was affixed to the jar with ribbon. "Muffin in a Jar," she read aloud.

"Well, we know that can't be from Gail," Nick muttered.

Andy could see that he meant it as a joke but the humor seemed to get lost somewhere right before he said her name out loud.

Andy set the jar down onto the coffee table and placed her hand on Nick's knee. She didn't say anything, just offered him a small smile and a measured blink of understanding before reaching back into the stocking.

She slid out the last gift that they knew would have to be from Gail. It was eye shadow; an expensive brand the two had been looking at the last time they went shopping together. The note read 'I still say it's the lips'. Andy smiled at the memory of a girls' night discussion so long ago. She took a quick glance at Nick and could see his facade dropping a little.

"We'll get your stocking as soon as we can," she promised him.

"You think she got me anything?" He wondered wringing his hands out in his lap.

Andy reached out to still them. "I don't know, sorry."

Nick was shaking his head. "I really don't think she did. I think she's going to be mad as hell."

Andy had no idea. Gail was pretty good at holding a grudge, but she really thought Gail's feelings ran deep so she wanted to be hopeful. "She might surprise you. I…"

"Like Swarek surprised you?"

She was okay about getting Nick's hopes up but she was still a little leery about her own. "It could have been…"

Nick huffed out a disbelieving breath. "Come on Andy, sure, Traci could have helped but there are at least two gifts here you know are from him and that lasagne…"

"What?"

He couldn't believe she didn't realize. "Every time you smell the air you smile."

"Oh." She had no idea she was doing it. She had really missed his cooking, but that was only part of it. She wasn't ready to totally give in though. "How do you know I'm not thinking about Traci?"

"It's a different smile," he answered surely.

Six months together and he could read her almost as well as… Andy finally dropped the charade. "I can't believe that he… after I…"

"He told you he loved you."

And then I walked away. "Gail loves you too," she countered.

Nick wasn't so sure; she'd never said. And when he found out from Luke that she had been reinstated he was afraid that he had made the biggest mistake of his life. "I hope you're right."

They both sat in silence for a few more minutes. "Come on, partner. Let's see how good you were this year."

Andy grinned at him. "Oh, I was real good," she bragged.

"Six months living together and I still have to just take your word for it," he countered.

"Hey!"

Nick laughed more than happy to move on to lighter topics. "Who's first?"

Andy quickly grabbed an unkempt looking package. "Leo!" She chose happily.

Nick shouldn't have been surprised but he was. The gift was not wrapped well, obviously done by a children's hand yet Andy was so delicate with it, like she was afraid to ruin the paper. "Just rip it off."

Andy slapped his hand away. "My present, my technique."

When she finally pulled the last of the paper away it was a game, Travel Battleship. Andy held it in the air for Nick to see. "If you tell me you wanted to be in the Navy in your former life, I'm going to have to reconsider our friendship."

Andy threw another elbow into his side. "It's for camping and it's a great game."

"Eh, if you like that kind of thing I guess."

"Well, Leo and I do so…"

She stuck her tongue out at him but she had to lunge back quickly when Nick tried to grab at it. "Didn't your father ever teach you that's rude."

"Guess it didn't take," Andy retorted.

Nick huffed out a chuckle. "Yeah, and neither did don't talk with your mouth full, keep your elbows off the table…"

"Like living with my grandmother," Andy muttered as she picked up a tall thin gift bag.

Nick was still chuckling when Andy revealed a bottle of wine. "My favorite," Andy commented before she sucked in a loud breath.

"What?"

Andy spun the carafe in her hands. Draped over it was a beautiful silver necklace with an open heart pendant on it. And if that wasn't enough there was an inscription: 'A True Friend Reaches For Your Hand But Touches Your Heart'. It brought tears to Andy's eyes.

"Hey," Nick urged. "You okay?"

Andy shook her head. "I'm good. I just… I miss her."

"Well, not for long, right? You can call her whenever you want now."

Andy nodded and offered Nick a watery smile. "Yeah… I will… soon."

Nick dipped his head in understanding then took the bottle from her hands and placed it on the coffee table beside the jar. "Next?"

Andy picked up a flat envelope with her father's handwriting on the outside. Lifting the tab, she slid the card out and flipped it open. The message was simple: 'Merry Christmas, Sweetheart. I'll be expecting a visit so we can do this for real. Love, Dad.'

The tears she shed over Traci's gift hadn't even dried before the trail started down her cheeks again. It was just… She had spent the last six months, well more like four because those first couple months were a little shaky, keeping her mind off of home. But now, there was nothing stopping her from thinking about all the people she loved, all the people she left behind. It was just a lot to take in.

Nick fidgeted beside her. "I had your name, you know, for the Rookie gift thing, but I didn't have a chance to get you anything."

Andy drew in a stuttered breath. "You don't have to; you gave me Christmas… at the apartment."

"That wasn't Christmas," Nick huffed.

"It was enough. You knew I was struggling and you took care of me. You still are."

"I'll always have your back," Nick promised, "but I think it's someone else's turn to take care of you now." He nodded towards the last unopened gift.

Andy followed his gaze to Sam's present as the bell on the microwave went off. Nick laid a soft hand on her shoulder as he got up. "Be right back."

A few minutes later, he brought back two plates already served up and two more beers. They ate quietly side by side both thinking about the one's they cared about most and wondering how they would feel knowing they were back.

Ironically it was Nick who broke the silence. "Too bad he didn't think about garlic bread huh?"

Andy grinned through her last mouthful savoring the taste. "Wouldn't want to spoil you."

Nick raised a dubious brow. "No, but I'm guessing he didn't have me in mind when he did this so…"

The color in Andy's cheeks deepened for only a second before her eyes lit up. "Did you see any ice cream?"

Nick didn't even get a chance to answer before she scurried to the fridge. She opened up the door for the freezer and pushed a few things around. Sure enough, her favorite ice cream was in there.

She dished them each up a bowl and sat back down. They ate in comfortable silence for a while before Nick asked, "Are you going to open it?" He was nodding towards the Christmas gift from Sam again.

"I don't know," she answered nervously.

"Andy, he left it here for you. He obviously wanted you to have it. It can't be bad."

"I know; I'm just… what if…" She was so afraid to hope.

"Andy, he obviously had the key, he could have taken the present back any time."

She hadn't thought of it that way. The fact that it was still there must have meant something. She took a deep breath and then a quick peek at Nick before she picked up the package from the table and studied it.

"Do you want me to give you a minute?"

"What?" She looked startled but recovered quickly. "No, it's fine."

"You sure? Could be lingerie."

Andy blushed a deep red. It's not like she didn't make an effort; she did usually match. But she had never consciously gone out and bought a sexy lingerie set just to impress Sam. She had seriously been considering it for him for Christmas, but he wouldn't… would he… I mean when she… She shook her head. "I don't think that's it."

"You sure? Six months without…"

If possible, the color of her cheeks got even redder. "Oh My God, Nick." Still she slowly lifted the lid off the gift and peered inside before fully opening it up.

"What is it?"

A small chuckle escaped her lips and a smile soon followed as she held the book up to Nick.

"It's a book," Nick noted unnecessarily. He didn't get it; it didn't seem that great and it wasn't at all personal yet Andy seemed delighted.

"Not just any book," Andy replied, "it's The Book of Awesome."

"Oh-kay."

Nick waited for an explanation but all Andy did was shake her head and smile some more. She took the book and opened it up; a piece of paper slid out onto her lap.

She looked at the paper and then up at Nick; her eyes were wide.

"I'm sure it won't be bad," Nick encouraged.

Andy picked up the paper that had been folded in half. She lifted it open and drank in every word.

"Andy?"

She turned to Nick and a tear rolled down her face. "It's a song," she whispered.

"What do you mean?"

She handed the paper over to Nick and he read through the words that had been printed on it. It was titled 'Giving me a Chance' by Gotye:

You know I never want to let you down
It cuts me up to see you sad
And I wish that I could undo what I've done
Get back the faith in me you had

Oh yeah
Oh yeah

You know I love you more than anyone
Might get a little wrapped up in myself
But you know I never want to do you wrong
Bring you to question what we have

Oh yeah
I know I let you down
I know I let you down
But you're giving me a chance

Oh yeah
I know I let you down
I know I let you down
But you're giving me a chance.

It wasn't lost on Nick that the words 'You know I love you more than anyone' somehow stood out more than the others.

He handed it back to Andy. "Wow, that's…"

She swallowed but couldn't find the words. The lump in her throat was making it impossible to say anything. She blew out a long shuddering breath but finally just nodded and moved her eyes back to the paper.

"You know what that means right?" Nick nodded towards the sheet in her hand.

"What?" Andy was able to squeak out.

"It must mean…" He grinned over at her, "You're not unlovable."

Andy choked out a laugh that sounded almost as much like a sob.

Nick stood and placed a soothing hand on her shoulder waiting while she took a few steadying breaths. When he was satisfied, he picked up their dirty dishes and took them into the kitchen to load in the dishwasher. He packaged up the leftover lasagne and put it in the fridge.

Andy was still running her hands over the words of the song and periodically swiping at her cheeks when he returned to the living room. "Wanna watch a movie?"

"Nick."

He started rambling almost immediately. "You're tired right; we should just…"

Andy nodded to herself before she turned to look at Nick. "It's still early; don't you want to talk to her?"

"You going to talk to Swarek?" He countered.

Andy shrugged. "I might."

He quirked an eyebrow at her, but she just mirrored it right back at him.

The battle of wills didn't last long; it was Nick that broke first. "I just need tonight," he conceded, "okay? I can't do it when I'm not firing on all cylinders."

Andy's eyes softened. "You should go home and get some real sleep then."

Nick pushed his shoulder into hers. "Are you still trying to get rid of me?"

Andy pursed her lips. "You'll sleep better at home; my couch is not that great."

"You're going to make me take the couch? Did the last six months mean nothing to you?" He mocked feigning hurt.

"Nick," she cautioned.

His shoulders slumped in defeat. "I know."

"Why don't you want to go home?"

"I told you; it's not half as nice as this. No food, probably filthy." Empty.

He didn't need to say it out loud for Andy to get it. She probably would have felt the same if she hadn't come home and found… everything. The lump was back. She cleared her throat. "I'm going to try to get some sleep. I'm afraid I don't have any extra sheets though," she gestured towards the dirty pile on the floor, "but I can get you a blanket."

"That would be great."

After getting Nick settled, Andy threw the sheets in the washing machine and then turned towards her bedroom. Nick didn't say a word when she picked up the book and note and took them with her.

She placed them down on the nightstand and headed to the bathroom to clean up.

With her face washed and her teeth brushed, she lowered the blinds and then crawled under the covers clothes and all. She shut her eyes but couldn't seem to get comfortable. She tossed and turned for a few minutes before her eyes drifted open again. She found herself staring at the birthday present on the other side of the bed. She shook her head and flopped her body over only to come face to face with the book on her nightstand. It was a losing battle and she knew it.

She sat up on the mattress and propped her pillow up behind her. She grabbed the book from the nightstand and flipped through the first few pages; one of them used to be blank. Her eyes started to cloud over for what felt like the hundredth time that day. The message was short and sweet - 'I heard the song and the words said more than I ever could. I'd really like that chance if you'll give it to me. I've forgotten what awesome feels like anymore; I'm hoping you can remind me.'

The tears were running freely down her cheeks. She closed the book and set it back down on the table. She took a deep breath and reached out to the other side of the bed and gathered up the birthday present. The envelope came off easily in her hand; she turned it over to lift the flap and slid the card out. She opened it up and every surface of the card was filled with Sam's writing. She sucked in a ragged breath as she wiped at her face.

"Andy?"

"Night, Nick," she managed to sniffle out.

He sighed resignedly. "Night, Andy."

She let her watery eyes fall back down to the card: Happy Birthday, Andy!

A.N. I have just changed my settings to allow for moderation of guest reviews. Any reviews that bash Sam or Andy for what happened here or on the show will simply be deleted. I apologize for all of my rants; I don't plan on wasting any more of our time dwelling on the negative.